February 4, 2013 11:50 am

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn (15) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

We usually reserve this weekly feature during the regular season for a closer look at the Seattle Seahawks upcoming opponent. But the next meaningful game Seattle plays isn’t until September, so instead I’ll delve into some of the most pressing issues the Seahawks need to address during the offseason.

But I’d like to take on one MINOR issue right off the top. If you’ve been listening to a steady diet of local sports talk radio, as I have the past few weeks, you might be convinced that what Seattle will do with reserve quarterback Matt Flynn is at the top of the to-do list during the offseason for general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.

Yes, we’re talking about someone who made $8 million in total compensation in 2012, yet played a total of 34 snaps during the regular season – none of them meaningful – as the most important situation the team must deal with in the coming months.

Here are the reasons being given for Flynn’s importance to Seattle’s fortunes on the field in 2013.

Flynn is the best backup quarterback since Jeff Hostetler came off the bench late in the season after Phil Simms suffered a broken foot to lead the New York Giants to a win over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXV, apparently. Some folks believe the Seahawks need to keep Flynn as insurance in case Russell Wilson gets injured, no matter what the cost.

For goodness sakes, Wilson’s a mobile quarterback and you just never know when Patrick Willis is going to put the hammer on the little bugger and knock him out of the game, right?

Flynn enters 2013 in the second year of a three-year, $19.5 million deal. He’s set to make $5.25 million in base salary in 2013, $2 million of which is guaranteed. If traded or let go, Flynn’s contract would count about $4 million against the team’s salary cap.

Here are some salaries of backup quarterbacks who started games in 2012:

Chicago Bears Jason Campbell ($3.5 million in 2012) 0-1 as a starter
Pittsburgh Steelers Charlie Batch ($925,000 in 2012) 1-1 as a starter
Jacksonville’s Chad Henne ($4.08 million in 2012) 1-5 as a starter
Tennessee’s Matt Hasselbeck ($5.5 million in 2012) 2-3 as a starter
Kansas City’s Brady Quinn ($1.5 million in 2012) 1-7 as a starter

Why Flynn won’t be on the team at that number
Just take a look at Schneider’s history of dealing with players he and Carroll view as being overpaid and/or not worth putting up with because of their attitude. Julius Jones was asked to take a pay cut after he lost his starting job. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was released, rather than allowed to be a malcontent in the locker room.

Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu and Mike Williams were released or traded after their salaries proved to burdensome compared to their value on the field.

The same thing will happen with Flynn. Carroll already said during his season-ending presser that he’d like to bring in a quarterback with a similar skill set as Wilson. The Seahawks will try and move Flynn this offseason. If they find no takers, Flynn will be asked to restructure his contract. And if he refuses, the Seahawks will give him his release.

Flynn’s trade value will be driven by the number of teams interested in his services, not some arbitrary draft value chart. The Seahawks gave up what amounted to a late, second-round pick for Charlie Whitehurst heading into the 2010 season because Arizona also was interested in Whitehurst’s services.

Buffalo gave up a seventh-round pick to Seattle for Tarvaris Jackson, likely because they wanted to make sure they had control of Jackson rather than wait for him to hit the waiver wire.

Who has more value as a quarterback, Whitehurst or Jackson? I think you know that answer to that question.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first the half of an NFL football game in Toronto, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

Another reason you can’t have Flynn on the roster for a second straight season at his current salary is I believe you can’t have the backup making that much more than your Pro Bowl quarterback for a second straight season.

Wilson’s set to make $525,217 in 2013. Even though the team isn’t paying a lot for the quarterbacks in the room, it undermines Wilson’s credibility to have the backup making that much more than him, and it will be used against Seattle by Wilson’s agent when the team begins to negotiate a contract extension with Wilson at the end of the 2014 season.

And how much will the backup really play with Wilson at quarterback? We’ve already seen that Wilson is great at sliding or getting out of bounds when he runs. He seldom takes big hits. With Wilson, Seattle could have one of the more durable quarterbacks in the league, similar to Peyton Manning and Brett Favre in their prime.

Also, if Wilson does get injured and is done for the year, the likelihood of Seattle making a Super Bowl is slim to none. Sorry, the days of a game manager like Trent Dilfer engineering a team to a Super Bowl is over. As you watched last year, Seattle’s defense is really good, but not elite in my opinion. You’re going to need a playmaker at the helm for this team to make it to the big game, and ultimately win the Super Bowl.

I apologize for being long winded, but here’s what I believe are Seattle’s top five needs that the team should address this offseason.

One of Seattle’s struggles this season was generating a consistent pass rush on third down.

The Seahawks allowed opponents to convert 38.38 percent of their opportunities on third down during the regular season, No. 17 in the league.

Part of the issue late in the season is Seattle had to play without two if its best pass rushers in Jason Jones and Chris Clemons.

Both finished the season on the injured reserve, and will have to rehab knee issues during the offseason. Jones is a free agent, so the Seahawks will have to determine if his lingering health issues are worth the gamble of bringing him back on a multi-year deal.

And Seattle will have to find a replacement for Clemons either through the draft or free agency. Clemons is returning from ACL reconstructive surgery, which can take up to a year for a full recovery.

Seattle may look to the St. Louis Rams and how that head coach Jeff Fisher defensively created pressure, and try to emulate that model. The Rams 52 sacks in 2012 tied for the league lead with the Broncos.

Both the Rams’ defensive ends Chris Long (11.5) and Robert Quinn (10.5) finished in double digits in sacks.

But the backup defensive ends Williams Hayes (7) and Eugene Sims (3) totaled double digit sacks together. Both of those players came in to rush the passer on third down.

Nick Wagoner, writing for the Rams official website, reports that St. Louis finished second in the league in sacks when blitzing with 26, and second in success rate as they got home for sacks on 12.38 percent of their 184 called blitzes, according to STATSPASS.

After Clemons (11.5) and Bruce Irvin (8.5), Seattle’s next best pass rushers were Jones (3 sacks) and Brandon Mebane (3).

And with Clemons rehabbing from ACL knee surgery, the Seahawks will need at least two pass rushers to add to the mix on third down situations.

Rookie Greg Suggs showed an ability to rush the passer on third down situations. Red Bryant also needs to improve in this area. And fourth-round draft pick Jaye Howard spent essentially a redshirt year learning the pro game.

The University of Florida product will be reunited with his coach from the Gators in Dan Quinn, and now has to start living up to the expectations of hi draft status in his second season.

Seattle Seahawks’ Alan Branch (99) reacts after recovering a Carolina Panthers fumble as Carolina Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart (28) walks off during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

A run stuffer
With defensive tackle Alan Branch expected to become an unrestricted free agent in March, the Seahawks will have to decide whether they want to bring back the University of Michigan product on a multi-year deal, or fill that spot via the draft or another player in free agency.

The Seahawks finished in the top 10 in run defense, giving up an average of 103.1 yards a contest. But as Bill Barnwell of Grantland points out, on first and 10 running plays with the score within 14 points, Seattle’s defense gave up an average of 5.6 yards per carry in the second half of the season, which was 30th overall in the league.

Part of this, I believe, can be attributed to Bryant dealing with a foot injury down the backstretch of the season. But you also have to wonder about the defensive front seven’s ability to consistently stop the run in 2013, and what new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will do to rectify that issue.

Getting another run stuffer like Georgia’s Johnathan Jenkins to pair with Brandon Mebane up front through the draft might be a good start.

A zone defender
Seattle’s struggles stopping teams in late-game situations last year has been well documented.

Several folks point to an aging Marcus Trufant as the problem, and want to see the Seahawks either draft or seek a nickel defender in free agency to rectify the issue.

But to blame Seattle’s struggles on third down only on Trufant is to gloss over the issue. The problem is really Seattle’s inability to defend the middle of the field in zone coverage because of the inexperience in that area, when you add linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, along with Kam Chancellor to that equation.

Factor in Seattle’s inability to create consistent pressure on the money down, and you have a significant problem that Carroll and the rest of coaching staff needs to address.

Part of that answer already exists on the roster if Walter Thurmond can come back healthy. Yes, I know that’s a big if, but Thurmond is a starting-caliber cornerback, and could develop into a playmaker on third down if he has a good offseason.

Couple a healthy Thurmond with another year of experience for Seattle’s young linebackers, and the Seahawks could be looking at an improved group on third down.

The Seahawks may also want to revisit drafting a play-making safety for third down, with Chancellor playing some WILL linebacker in obvious passing situations. Winston Guy was given more responsibility late in the year, so it’s possible he develops into more of an impact player in his second season. But while proving an enforcer in the back end of the defense, Chancellor does struggle at times in coverage.

A red zone target
Many folks are clamoring for the Seahawks to sign a big-time receiver Dwayne Bowe or Mike Wallace in free agency, but I think that’s a waste of money.

Seattle doesn’t throw enough to warrant spending top dollar in free agency for a diva receiver who’s going to demand the ball and prove an attitude problem in the locker room.

And in my opinion, Sidney Rice is a No. 1 receiver in the NFL; he just isn’t targeted like one.

Rice and Golden Tate combined for 14 touchdowns during the regular season. Only seven other teams (Green Bay, Denver, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Dallas and Cincinnati) had receiver duos that finished with more combined touchdowns.

I think Seattle’s three-receiver set with Rice, Tate, slot receiver Doug Baldwin and tight end Zach Miller is solid. Where the Seahawks could use some help is an explosive receiver or pass-catching tight end who can stretch the field or score touchdowns in the red zone.

Someone like Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who at 6-3 and 205 pounds has great speed and elusive running ability after the catch, as you can see in the video below.

Yes, Patterson is raw in terms of his route-running ability and understanding of a pro-style offense, but he has a tremendous set of tools to work with and develop.

A road grader
The game-by-game, and sometimes play-by-play juggling of playing time at right guard between John Moffitt and J.R. Sweezy probably was the most head-scratching decision of Seattle’s 2012 season.

Neither was consistent enough to take over the job full-time, and Carroll’s uncertainty at that position points to a need for a butt-kicking guard that needs to be added either through the draft or free agency.

However, just like nickel cornerback, the need for a road grader at offensive guard already could be filled by a healthy James Carpenter returning to action in 2013.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) carries the ball as teammate James Carpenter (77) blocks and New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes, left, moves in for the tackle in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Although he looked solid at times at practice, I thought Carpenter’s return from major reconstructive knee surgery was rushed in 2012, and he should have been allowed to work on building strength last season.

The team seemed to confirm that thought by placing Carpenter on the injured reserve list after seven starts in December.

If Carpenter can return healthy and take over at left guard, that allows Paul McQuistan to shift back over to right guard, and I think it gives Seattle one of the better starting offensive lines in the NFL.

If Carpenter can’t come back healthy, then I think the Seahawks would like to see Sweezy take that next step in his second season.

Regardless, I think Seattle continues to build the interior of the offensive line through the draft.

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About

Gregg Bell joined The News Tribune in July 2014. Bell had been the director of writing for the University of Washington's athletic department for four years. He was the senior national sports writer in Seattle for The Associated Press from 2005-10, covering the Seahawks in their first Super Bowl season and beyond. He's also been The Sacramento Bee's beat writer on the Oakland Athletics and Raiders. The native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and a 2000 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

Feeds

I think Leroy’s replacement comes before a WR, CB, and OL. They need all the help they can get in the front 7 to stop the run. There were a few games where we were gashed and could not get of the field, and Leroy’s struggled covering the TE and RB out of the back field.

Improving the pass rush is a glaring need IMO…whether it be through DL additions or creative LB pressures or both. As far as Flynn, I wonder If we could pull off a trade with JAX, straight up for Marcedes Lewis.

What a great write up. A good mix of facts and opinions and a lot of really solid conclusions.

“On first and 10 running plays with the score within 14 points, Seattle’s defense gave up an average of 5.6 yards per carry in the second half of the season, which was 30th overall in the league.”

Given they sacrificed the pass rush by starting Bryant, Mebane and Branch and that this was the highest paid position group on the team, this was a real scary stat. It felt like the only run defense the Seahawks had in the final 12 games was to jump out to a big lead. I think they could have lived with the weak pass rush if the line just performed to expectations against the rush.

Right on, EW. Way to bring it! Best football post I’ve read in a few weeks.

Solid analysis and I can’t argue with any of this, however, I noted that your needs for a pass rusher focused only on DE. Because of Clem’s injury, I agree that’s a huge need, but I think Will LB needs to be added to the picture. While Smith is a great special teamer and good cover LB, I just don’t see him bringing the pass rush that would could be getting from the Will.

I’m looking for the team to prioritize adding the best pass rusher they can find – at either DE or OLB.

As long as we are even a little better than last year then the season will look great!!

I am really expecting that we actually ready on week 1. not like the last few years while the OL took 6-10 weeks to gel. I want to come out week 1 ready to play and not boot games early.

We can’t expect to always get wins like the GB, NE games this year – we will win many but we can’t kick games like Miami, Arizona, Stl, Det either. Some of that will be taken care of with Wilson continuing to get better. But I didn’t feel like our yound Defenders are improving across the board either. Hopefully they will follow RW’s lead and actually show up in the early season or early in games.

The injuries Thurmond has incurred will take their toll – its not reasonable to expect he can continue to come back from serious injury after serious injury and play at the same level. I think we are likely to see more of Jeremy Lane or Byron Maxwell than Walter Thurmond.

Agree with CDHawkFan that the augmentation / replacement of Leroy Hill is a priority.

If Cordarelle Patterson manages to fall to 25 I just cannot see PCJS passing on a kid with those unique talents. They love the “game changers” and Patterson and tavon Austin are probably the 2 most explosive players in the class. But what gives me pause about them is that PCJS have now established the MO of using first rounders on the line with the exception of ET. Okung Carp Irvin. But will the struggle to find that big/explosive/tilt the field WR lead to them making it a priority to finally get the guy in the draft even if we must trade up to say 20 for Cordarelle? We do have the draft capital to do it this year.

Cordarelle Patterson is intriguing. It looks like he could step in as Kick and Punt returner immediately. That would allow us to cut Leon and gain some cap room there. Very exciting prospect.
I have to imagine the 1st round pick will either be a playmaking WR (ala Patterson) or a pass rusher. We can likely find a Leroy Hill replacement in the middle rounds. Dang, now I’m getting excited for the combine and draft!

I see our tactics as stop run at first and rush passer at second and third down. We have Red and Mebane but Branch is FA. And more of that, we need someone for rotation. I was hoping for Cox, Brockers or Still in last year draft to add someone who can stop run and rush passer from 3&5 tech position. And more of that, who can substitute Red and Branch that they can be more fresh for end of season. Howard may be an option, but i didnt see him develop. And he need to add some bulk for replacing Red or Branch. Most of all, we should add real 3 tech threat. Jones didnt prove himself. And hoping for Howard or Scruggs is not something i think we should do.

Lockette was much for straight line speed than shiftiness and run after the catch ability wasn’t he? Plus he struggled with drops whereas Cordarelle seems to have great hands. Only similarities I see to the Rocket and Cordarelle is raw route running

That’s one of the best write-ups you’ve done since taking over the blog Eric. I like the passion. A lot.

Honestly, this is the first thing I’ve read from you where it finally feels like you’re owning this blog. Up to now, it’s felt like you were still in the taking-over-for-someone-else/it’s-not-really-my-team mode.

This was a great breakdown and I agree with just about all of it. I’d only take issue with the a couple of the reasons given for why Flynn won’t be here next season (I think you’re dead on that he probably won’t be).

Flynn’s salary being >> than RW’s I don’t think undermines RW at all, he owns this team and owns the fan base right now. Nor does it give ammo to RWs agent for more money in 2014. If RW keeps playing at or above this season’s level, he’s going to get paid. If we brought in Peyton Manning as backup for $20M a year, that wouldn’t affect RW’s next contract, just like Flynn’s $5M doesn’t.

The contrast to what the Rams did in terms of QB pressure was very insightful.

Patterson is pprojected to go in the first, for most mocks I’ve looked at.

At least his footage looks very different from Lockette. Lockette was a burner, but that’s it. Patterson looks like a far better overall athlete and one who has really good hands and fights for the ball. Plus, he’s chippy and confident, which I like.

Currently Patterson seems to be a first rounder. I’ve typically seen him projected as the first wideout taken but some mockers have him below Keenan Allen and Terrance Williams(? Baylor kid). He is a wildcard type of player similar to Percy Harvin but quite a bit bigger. 6’3 205 vs 5’11 185. The size difference to me makes him a very intriguing option as he fills the speedy/big target/explosive player in 1 package. Replace Leon, get a WR for opposite Rice, and get a joker that could open up play action/read option even more. Sorry that was lengthy, I love the draft time of year

Fanatastic breakdown Eric, please cool your jets though don’t want ya going to ESPN yet…I hope PC and JC read this and take it to the scouts this draft….Your right on point!!!!! I will need to print this for a cheat sheet thanks

Is there any big tall WR or TE available in free agency or trade? I agree with the assertion that the Hawks do not need a #1 receiver YET, but another Jurivicious/Boldin td maker in the red zone or first down maker

Great list, and hell Im still going over it. I wanted to add a point to your Flynn discussion. You spoke to the durability of Russell Wilson, and I agree. The largest flaw in the calculus on Flynn was his durability. What caused his arm issues? He was not strong to begin with, and RW out competed him, even to the point where Flynn injured him self? Other teams will take a long hard look at that, before ever pulling the trigger on a Flynn trade. My hope is that Flynn restructures, but I seriously doubt either party will negotiate strongly to stay in Seattle. My guess is a 6th or 7th rd pick will be all he is worth for the 2 million. Lets hope JS gets it done.

Great post, Eric. Wonder how the Matt Flynn saga will turn out…hopefully good for all parties.

Question about McQ: Should he be our right guard and have Moffitt/Sweazy as 2nd stringers assuming Carp is able to come back 100%? Was McQ moved over to LG because he was our best option there and we had to suffer through what was happening on the right side of the line?

There seem to be a handful of relatively worthless back-up QBs who will be available that will ensure that it will be much harder to win it all if our starter goes down. Some of these bums will also cost a few million dollars which means our back-up will still “undermine” our starting QB in terms of compensation, too. Either way, it looks like our back-up is going to make more than our starting QB.

Personally, I’d rather have a back-up QB that will ensure we can still more easily achieve greatness if our starter goes down.

Look at it this way, if we ditch Flynn and his little over $5 million salary, then we are still going to have to go out and pay $2-3 million to some proven bum so we can have an “experienced” back-up.

I’d rather spend $2-3 million more to Flynn than a bad back-up (who would make about half that).

Behind the scenes, we don’t know of the dynamics of the situation though, so there are plenty of variables at play that many of us are not privy to. We all know Flynn would like to play and start somewhere so if that opportunity arises, you never know…

I hope there isn’t interest in him from any other team to start and he stays in Seattle.

If Flynn leaves, I would be happy with a Colt McCoy as back-up. He’s a former 3rd round pick, like Wilson, who will make about what Wilson makes. Plus, I think he can be an effective stop-gap if Wilson got hurt. I’d gladly give up a draft pick for him to ensure that our back-up QB wouldn’t suck for an entire year.

“Flynn’s trade value will be driven by the number of teams interested in his services, not some arbitrary draft value chart. The Seahawks gave up what amounted to a late, second-round pick for Charlie Whitehurst heading into the 2010 season because Arizona also was interested in Whitehurst’s services.

Buffalo gave up a seventh-round pick to Seattle for Tarvaris Jackson, likely because they wanted to make sure they had control of Jackson rather than wait for him to hit the waiver wire.

Who has more value as a quarterback, Whitehurst or Jackson? I think you know that answer to that question.”

Probably the best point I’ve seen about the Flynn situation. Not to say I don’t dream, but you have to be realistic about what JS/PC can do. Every hawk fan should understand this and pray that the QB draft class is as bad as it looks right now. There are quite a few teams in need of a QB and we could wind up being in a “Whitehurst” situation rather than a “Jackson” situation.

Agree good write up. Although I wouldn’t put nickel corner as an area of need at all. To me Jeremy lane is that guy. I thought he looked solid playing for the suspended browner. Add in thurmund if he can stay healthy and we have 4 solid start able corners, I see no need there. I would not be completely surprised if we pick up what nobody is expecting and get a first round safety and move Kam to olb. You heard it here first

Wasn’t it the same thing last year that one of the top priorities was to find a pass rusher? Didn’t we get the best one in the draft?
I have to agree with pabs that finding a good pass rusher may be harder than finding a franchise QB.

Perhaps it would have been better to draft DeCastro in the first round. At least we would have a road grader with a high football brain instead of the MoffittSweezy project.

If Jackson helped get us close to 500 last year why not bring him back as a backup? He would be cheap, and perhaps he could learn a thing or two from Wilson.
I just hope some desperate team falls for Flynn. I would like to get that 3rd rounder back that we lost for Whitebust.

He did get screwed. Not because he was better , but because he was told that he had an equal chance to compete. We all know here that he wasn’t in the Seahawks plans, however the FO had to deal with the situation cautiously because Jackson had a strong liking in the lockeroom at the time.

It wouldn’t bother me at all to have Jackson as a backup for a couple of years until Hasselbeck comes back to take his place, And gets his SuperBowl ring, and teaches Wilson to have a better sense of humor.

Eric, I can’t say that I completely agree with the logic behind your thoughts on Flynn. This team…this team’s leadership rather, has proven time and again that they don’t march to the normal beat of the NFL when it comes to personnel decisions. Couple that with what I think is a truly unique individual in Russell Wilson, and I don’t really see the salary differences being an issue.

Flynn’s hit against the cap isn’t that bad…especially when you consider the overall hit that the QB position has on the cap. I also tend to think that Flynn, while not RW mobile, is pretty good with his feet in the pocket. He slides well and sets up nicely. So I don’t think he is necessarily a “game manager”, but he still is a mostly unproven commodity.

Lastly, I don’t think this team can afford to not have a capable back up QB and I don’t see anything better out there than Flynn. Would I be disappointed if they trade Flynn? No, not really. But I wouldn’t be bothered if they kept him either. And with this year’s group of incoming rookie QB’s and flock of new head coaches and GMs, they may (emphasis on “may”) be able to get something in value for Flynn if they do decide to move him.

Best of all, this is going to be a fun off season just because there are SO many good posibilities given our cap situation, draft pick numbers, youth, and a roster that is more talented than we had in ’05.

Kruger and Ellerbe both unrestricted free agents from the Ravens – either would be a nice help for our D. Ravens have an unusually high number of FA’s this off-season, starting with Flacco, but quite a few others as well, there’s a pft.com article detailing it.

Adding Paul Kruger would be great and I’d be all for it. It’d be awesome to give him big bucks (since Wilson, Sherman, etc. are still a year or two away from getting their big paydays). That would really eliminate a gigantic need heading towards the draft. Plus, he’s still young (which means Ruskell would never have wanted him – he’s not old enough). With that being said, other teams are going to want him too and you can’t get crazy with the big bucks you’re offering. Not even Tom Brady is worth a crazy contract (like $50 million for one year).

I think the Duke Boy and Company have done a great enough job to put this team in a good cap situation where we could afford a splash like that (and still have money to pay for a majority of our core players as their contracts start to come due in the coming years).

The good thing about McCoy is that he has experience in the WCO and has a bunch of starts (even if he didn’t play much this past year), will be cheap (salary for a quality back-up & in terms of compensation given up), and I assume that the new regime in Cleveland will want either their “own” guy or will go with Weeden.

Need 1A: Sign FA DE to replace Clem.. We need a healthy dynamic DE from the start of the season… Preferably Avril from Detroit
Need 1B: Move up in draft to get a stud DT in the first… Preferably Lotulelei
Address WR, OLB, OL, back up QB in the draft…
Use Flynn as trade chip…

I would rather have Tebow than McCoy, ( not saying much ) at least Tebow can help win a few games, and can take a hit. McCoy is a good third string option though.
I’m just glad we finally have the real McCoy now in Wilson.

One thing to consider is that with Wilson & Flynn at QB, the FO feels confident enough to go with only 2 qbs on the roster freeing up a spot for another position. The Hawks have never been better at the position imho. We are in the driver’s seat with Flynn. If an offer or opportunity too good to pass up manifests then so be it. If not, we get another year with Flynn and can play the same game in the 2014 off season after our Superbowl victory.

Excellent writeup Eric! Never worry about being long winded, youre at your best when letting it hang.

I disagree that Seattle needs or will cut Flynn due to his salary. They have proven willing to overpay for that position with Clipboard Jesus and T-Jack. Also, I dont see how Wilsons agent could use them paying Flynn so much money against them. They are gonna end up paying Wilson 20 mill a year for his next contract if he keeps his play at this level, and they cant pay him more money until his third year anyway; thats not Seattles FO fault, thats in the CBA.

With Wilson only making 500k a year, any backup they sign with any experience will be making more than him. Tough titty. While that sucks for Wilson, no one else saw him getting drafted as high as he did. Seattle did him a favor. And they will make it right by him, I have no doubt. But what his backup makes is utterly irrelevant, in the locker room or in the real world, when your starter makes so little and that is mandated by the CBA.

And its in Seattles best interest to keep him another year if they dont get any decent trade offers. If they keep him, he’s even easier to trade next year salary wise. Plus, why drop the guy if you dont have a backup that is immediately better? I dont think Carrol is the type to concede the season as lost if Wilson goes down. He’ll still try to win every game, and that means having the best backup he can get. Right now, thats Flynn. And they wont trade him for a sixth round pick, you can bet your butt on that.

And Seattle needs a big fast WR, if not Bowe or anyone else that high priced. I never advocated for Wallace or Bowe, for the same reasons you mention. But watching Wilson throw those TD’s to Fitz and Jackson in the Pro Bowl put a spotlight on what he could do with a red zone/deep threat like those guys. Even a couple touches a game could pay dividends if we had such a player. Rice just isnt physical enough to make those plays. Thats why he’s not really a number one. If we had a Big Fast SE like Jackson, and Rice at FL, and Tate in the slot, we’d have the best WR corps in football. What we have now is nice pieces to different puzzles–they dont fit.

Lane, Guy, and Thurmond should be able to turn one of those guys into a decent nickel back by game one, one would hope.

God knows how to fix our line, Clemons IMO cannot be counted on to provide anything next year, and his career is in doubt. I dont know enough to say whether Branch is worth what hes paid, but I do know that this team cannot afford to let him go and not get someone better. If we get any worse at DT, we are a dead duck defense. And yeah, Im not convinced Irvin can be an every down player, nor that Scruggs will be anything more than a rotational guy. But I have hope in that dept. We need a DT in FA bad. Melton?! And a DE find like Clemons…and we need to draft one of each and a WR high.

I think Smith and Morgan are okay at WLB, but if a great one is available high I wont holler if they draft one. And yeah, they HAVE to get two starting caliber G’s come hell or high water. This is getting ridiculous. ITs supposed to be the easiest position to find starters at, yet a first round pick a third round pick still cant get it done, not to mention the fourth rounders previous regimes spent at the position, or the several high priced FA old guy duds weve brought in. Five years or more with garbage at G, its time to fix it no matter what.

I’m not buying into the big money for a backup QB thing. I don’t think the ‘Hawks are under any pressure in the locker room to be rid of Matt Flynn.

Just like at every other point in RW’s life, this is a very special situation and requires special handling. RW will get his payday and there’s a good reason why it won’t be this year or next. Wilson, Flynn, you, me, and everybody else understands this and it’s not a locker room problem.

MF is very valuable the the Seahawks and he won’t be cut or given away cheaply.

I’m worried about Clemons. Any update on a rehab time table? Here’s his contract specs: http://www.fieldgulls.com/2012/7/31/3207706/details-of-chris-clemons-contract-examined
If Chris is to miss the season there is a chance that he gets cut and we eat about $4.333 million vs $8.166 mil if I’m reading and understanding correctly. I hope he’s back at 100%ish sometime during the regular season because his absence leaves a gaping hole on the DL. His return for a playoff push would be reminiscent of the Giants run last year getting all of their pass rushers healthy for the title run. Heal up Chris!

Great read, Eric. The best part about this off-season is that we have a team and a QB that are off the hook. Free agents will be beating down our door to get a piece of the action. The sky is the limit.

Everybody think that Seattle Seahawks hold all the cards with Matt Flynn because of some team are looking for a QB like Jets, Cards, Jaguars, Eagles, Chief but don’t you forget that alot of team might not trade a draft pick to Seattle for Flynn if they, think that Seahawks will just cut Flynn because that could happen..

As much as Flynn could possiblity happen the market for QB isn’t so great with not very good QB on market & the price for QB is steep, seeing as Eagles are trying to make that decision on if they want to keep Vick or Cut him..

With his hit on the salary cap this year, i’d rather pay Flynn the extra 1.25 million and keep him one more year unless we find a trade partner who absorbs some of the pay or gives us a good pick where PC/JS have targeted a specific player they have their eye on.

1 reason I mention it is I was AT that game where we gave up the lead with 20 seconds left. Young lit us up……9 for 100,2 TDS(including 46 yard bomb). He impressed me for sure; PC & JS could straighten him out.

Excellent article Eric I agree with others you can get windy anytime you like. I do disagree with your thoughts on Flynn however. I fully expect the Hawks to retain him for next year. I just don’t see them in a position where they have to make a move. From a money perspective Russell Wilson is gonna get paid, on and off the field. I fully expect RW to get at least 1 national endorsement and possibly a couple, as well as some local stuff. No one is gonna offer Matt Flynn or any other BU that kind of money endorsement wise. The only problem I forsee is if MF makes a stink about being the BU. From what I’ve seen of him so far I don’t believe that’s in his character.

Pete has went on record he want’s to fix the pass rush so I fully expect him to do that. I don’t know their cap situation fully but thinking long term I’m not sure they spend huge money on 1 guy this year. If the right guy were to show up then maybe. I know I was hot for Mario Williams last year and hindsight being 20/20 and all it looks like a good move to not have signed him. The guy I like this year is Randy Starks I feel he has the versatility they look for as well as he would come at a reasonable price. I would then look for them to draft another DT and DE that fit their scheme. As much as some want to fix our problems today we all have to be patient and wait for our presents. I think it’s gonna be a great Xmas this year and the best part is we will get those presents all year long not just one day.

Titus Young is a waste of skin. The guy in all seriousness told his old coach that he is better than Megatron. Seriously. Even his old coach thought he was nuts. The guy deliberately lined up in the wrong place during an NFL game, on Thanksgiving no less. He’s like TO and Ocho Stinko without the size or accomplishments. Total cancer.

ALso, he’s not tall and is very skinny. He isnt the kind of WR Seattle needs at all. He’s got less chance of ever being on this team than Deon Butler does of taking the slot job away from Baldwin.

Good write up, Eric. My opinion differs on a couple of points, but you still had very valid ideas. Don’t worry about being long-winded, I’m the same way, as you’ll see.

Defensive line is the biggest need. Even with Chris Clemons injury, a pass rushing three technique is the Hawks highest priority. Not a pure pass rusher, but someone that can collapse the interior line, and stand up to the run. I don’t know how many times I saw Clemons and Bruce Irvin beat their blocker, only to miss out on a sack because the quarterback stepped up into a non-collapsed pocket. If each qb had had half of those opportunities taken away, then both ends would’ve had five more sacks each. Cliff Avril isn’t as good as Clemons. He got those opportunities that the Hawks Leos missed out on (Thanks to N. Suh destroying the interior pocket), and Avril still had fewer sacks than Clemons. Avril will also command too much money. Paul Kruger would be able to overcome this deficiency, but he’ll probably be franchised.

Now to the DT’s. Henry Melton (Oh sweet mama, please!) or Randy Starks would be great free agent signings. Star Lotulelei and Sheldon Richardson (THE perfect fit for the Seahawks.) would cost too much draft capital to trade up for. Probably half of the Hawks’ picks. I feel that this position being filled would make this defense capable of allowing a Trent Dilfer-like game manager to become a Super Bowl champion.

I’d love to see the Hawks get Khaseem Greene or Arthur Brown in the second round, but there’s no way either lasts until the 55th pick. Both could go at the bottom of the first.

Either of the Tennessee wide outs (Cordarrelle Patterson or Justin Hunter) would make me happy. But I salivate at the thought of DeAndre Hopkins or Zach Ertz being paired with Russell Wilson.

Singularitarian, last year, several “draft experts” (I think Tony Pauline was one.) reported that the Seahawks were going to take Mark Barron, and move Kam Chancellor to STRONG SIDE linebacker. Yep, they were gonna keep Leroy Hill, and replace K. J. Wright. That was never going to happen. Don’t try to rekindle those idiotic rumors, especially since you weren’t the “first” to come up with the idea.

Thanks for the attack neuro cell, I wasn’t claiming to have been the first person to ever say anything about chancellor moving to linebacker, but thanks for putting words in my mouth. I was simply saying I wouldn’t be surprised by a 1st round safety in the 2013 draft, actually that’s my prediction. Eric Reid is a stud and he’s got carrolls size /speed preferences. What I don’t need is some know it all being a jackass over a blog because he thinks he is smarter than everybody

Singularitarian, Your inbreeding is showing through. If you’d been a fan of the Seahawks for more than a few months, then you’d know how many rumors there were about this LAST year. You stated that “you heard it here first”, that’s why I asked you to not start those comments again. If you would’ve seen them last year, you’d know how idiotic they were. What we truly don’t need is someone like you, as a Hawks’ fan. Go crawl back into the shallow end of the gene pool, and let people that know what they’re talking about (Which is everyone, but you.) have a discussion. To tell you the truth, what you need is an education, jackass.

Bobby, I always kinda liked Colt McCoy, especially his poise and toughness, but not for $2+ mil. I have a feeling, based on his comments, that PC is looking to draft a mobile QB in the later rounds and groom him behind RW.

Something we may all be really underestimating is Flynn’s competitive fire and desire to start. He thought it was going to happen last year, but reluctantly accepted his role. He stayed in the background even though PC stated he was upset and didn’t take it very well sometimes. Flynn knows this is Wison’s team and he has no chance to be the man in Seattle, and I doubt he would be happy to take a back seat to RW again this year. This isn’t some journeyman has-been that we’re talking about. He is still a starting caliber QB that flashed potential and no one really knows his ceiling. He is entering the prime of his career, wants to prove himself and will want playing time so he can cash in for his big payday. Although the Seahawks control his destiny for 2 more years, I think they will get a pretty good offer and decide to trade him to accommodate him. My guess is that MF will be the starter for the Jets or Jags next year.

As you may have noticed, I replied to a poster that angered me. I wanted to apologize to all of you for my response. I should’ve been more mature, and not let him antagonize me. I had a bad day, I read his comment, and responded angrily. I should not have put the rest of you through that.

I do stand by what I did day, however. Even in anger, I must admit to what I say could have validity, be idiotic, a differing opinion, or any other trait. I believe that I should always take responsibility for my own actions, whatever the consequences may be.

I just wanted you to know that I do wish that I hadn’t lost my temper, and put you through our spat. Thank you for supporting this great blog.

Way to be a stand up guy neurocell. You didn’t really need to apologize to us, but you’ve still got my respect for doing that.
No worries though, all of us have had our moments on this blog:)
I disagree with many opinions on this blog, but ultimately anyone who shares my passion for the Seahawks is alright in my book.

Ugh.. Tebow? Really? Have we not already established that he is the WORST NFL QB to ever hit this league? Please… the CANNOT throw the ball. He CANNOT read a defense. He has ZERO accuracy. I do NOT want Tebow on this team for any reason. He brings ZERO talent and 100% drama. He’s a circus wherever he lands. Forget it.

And Jackson as a backup? Are you kidding me? Didn’t we just finish a complete stinker season a year ago due to his total ineptitude?

Matt Moore, Brian Hoyer and Pat Delvin are all going to be FA backup QB’s. I’d take any one of those guys over the tools being mentioned. Particularly Matt Moore. He’s a backup who can win some games.

Holmes – spot on! The bow? Jackson? Never gunna happen. I agree that Moore is one of the 2-3 quality backups.

CCVI- yes, the difference between Flynn and the rest of the backups is that Flynn has never shown himself to be weak. H still COULD be a starter.
PC. And JS know that he is solid and they hold the cards. I personally do no see him being released. There will be teams desperate for a qb that could make an offer we can’t refuse, but having him on the bench at the start of the season is nothing sort of good stuff.

Free agency will be very interesting this year. With the obvious needs already illustrated, how the pieces come together should be fun to watch.

Lol. You obviously need your mommy neurocell. I guess seeing a hole at the strong safety position makes me inbred. Apologize to somebody else, I don’t have time for your know it all temper tantrums, your half-assed apologies, or your weak, hidden in the security of your computer room insults. Every time I post something somebody has to mock my football IQ. After the draft it was Russel Wilson deserving to be the starter. “Flynn is the guy they brought in to be je starter you idiot, just drop it it ain’t gonna happen for a few more years. My comment wasn’t to say that chancellor should or could just start at outside linebacker, more that I could see a stud strong safety being a big upgrade to the backfield, with Chancellor coming in in situations as an olb perhaps, and be a backup/ running down type of SS. But whatever dude. I must be inbred. There’s a reason people like you talk s$#@ in the security of your own home hidden behind a computer, and its certainly not because you have a real set of balls

And I haven’t heard anyone say they might draft a safety early THIS year, so don’t act like I’m stealing another’s idea,and trying to make it my own. And I could care less whether I came up with the idea or not, because at the end of the day I’m just a spectator on a blog making a random guess as to what our impossible to predict team will do in a draft, I’m not trying to be a sports analyst. The you heard it here first was just kind if a joke, and hey, maybe someone would remember my comment and say good call. I’m now done talking about this

Lol just reread the article and I completely missed the part about safety the first time through. Lol almost took the words out of my mouth. Sometimes when I read articles on my phone I miss paragraph or two.

No one ever questioned your football iq, just your actual iq. Let’s see, I asked you not to start rumors again, but instead you attacked me. It just shows how insecure you really are. Then you tell me I need my mommy? Even if she wouldn’t have been killed eight years ago, your attack only proved that you are inbred; you’re unable to come up with anything more than an assault upon my family, resorting to swearing, and twisting Eric Williams’ words.

Only those that are truly mentally deficient attack someone that has no way to retaliate, such as the dead. A microcephalic, such as yourself, then proceeds to compound their total lack of intelligence, and couth, by being a hypocrite: you hide behind an anonymous screen name then say others “have no balls.” Thank you for proving the points that I made about you.

You state that you missed a couple paragraphs, and then blame it on something else. Way to man up (That’s sarcasm, because you need everything spelled out for you.). Then you bring Williams into this (I don’t call him “Eric” because I don’t know him. I don’t believe that you do either.), you call him inbred, but once again, you prove that you are still lacking in alleles. Williams main point about the drafting of a defensive back was for a nickel corner. Did you miss that? Kam Chancellor is what’s known as a “rover”, a safety with the size of a linebacker that assists against the run. If you’d ever played above pee wee, you’d know that. Williams made the point that it was the zone coverage that was lacking, especially during third down. You see, when it’s third down and long, a pass is likely. Linebackers are taken off the field in favor of faster defensive backs. Many times a strong safety will switch over to a position similar to the Will, because the tight end is removed for a quicker receiver. If you would have fully read the section on “A zone defender” you would have known this. Instead you ran your mouth, and came out looking idiotic.

Why do you say “lol” so much? Are you a twelve year old girl?

Your hypocrisy knows no bounds; you say that you’re done talking about this, then return six hours later, and post twice more. Funny in a truly sad, sad way.

You are pathetic, but once you get to high school, you may actually be a better person. Going by your posts, that’s highly unlikely though.

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